From Staff Reports
VERNON — Lamar County was in a position to win Friday night in its huge Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 3A, Region 4 showdown with Gordo.
However, the Bulldogs came up a yard short of the key first down.
Stopped on downs at the Gordo 15-yard line in the closing minute, Lamar County dropped a hard-fought 21-14 decision to the region leaders.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Lamar County coach Ken Adams said. “Both teams really gave it everything they had. Gordo has a great defense but we had our chances. We certainly had an opportunity there at the end.”
Gordo improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in region play. The Greenwave clinched at least a share of the region title and the region’s No. 1 seed.
Lamar County dropped to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in region play. The Bulldogs have secured a playoff spot and could be the region’s No. 3 seed with a win at Greensboro (5-3, 3-2) Friday night.
For Lamar County, Bryce Myles scored on a 39-yard run and Austin Spann scored on a 3-yard run. Cullin Carter paced the Bulldogs with 24 rushes for 104 yards.
Gordo received three rushing touchdowns from Patrick Manning (59-yard run), Day’Lon Rice (4-yard run) and Elijah Latham (4-yard run).
Aliceville 21, Greensboro 20: At Greensboro, Alabama, the Yellow Jackets wrapped up the second spot in the Class 3A, Region 4 race with dramatic road win.
“To be able to wrap up home-field is really big for this team,” Aliceville coach Charles Moody said. “We knew this would be hard game to win but we really played with a lot of heart and determination.”
Deonte’ Taylor scored the game-winning points for Aliceville (8-1, 4-1 region) on a 10-yard run midway through the third quarter.
In the first half, Syron Clark scored on a 4-yard run and Jaterrius Steele went in from three yards out. Steele also had a 2-point conversion run.
Greensboro (5-3, 3-2) received a 2-yard touchdown run by Terrell Britford, as well as a 71-yard kick return touchdown and a 17-yard touchdown run by Darrylvontaye Campbell.
Clark finished with 25 rushes for 107 yards to lead Aliceville. Jakari Garner had seven tackles and a fumble recovery to pace the Aliceville defensive efforts.
“Our defense really came up with some big stops,” Moody said. “In the second half, we really did a great job of shutting them down and were fortunate enough to hold on to the lead.”
Aliceville closes its regular season with a region game at American Christian Academy (4-4, 2-3) Friday night.
Pickens County 26, Vincent 7: At Reform, Alabama, the Tornadoes clinched at least a share of the Class 2A, Region 4 title as well as the region’s top seed with the easy win at home.
“Finishing first in the region is great,” Pickens County coach Nick Roberson said. “Our goal at the first of the season was to be region champs, so it is good to see all of the hard work pay off. When you are coming back from a state championship series, it is hard to focus on the small steps in the process. Winning the region is a good start in that process.”
For Pickens County (6-2, 5-0 region), Zachary Thomas completed 9-of-15 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Javoris Jefferson had three receptions for 143 yards and caught both touchdowns from Thomas.
Darrien Latham rushed 17 times for 112 yards and also scored twice for the Tornadoes.
Pickens County will try to complete a clean sweep of the region Friday night when it plays at Fayetteville (4-4, 2-3).
Hubbertville 39, South Lamar 20: At Millport, Alabama, the Stallions did not have enough to knock off the Class 1A, Region 6 leaders at home.
Still, South Lamar (3-5, 2-3 region) enters the final week of the season in a two-way tie for fourth place in the region but holding the tie-breaker for the final playoff berth. The Stallions qualify with a region win Friday night at Brilliant (1-7, 1-4).
South Lamar can finish no higher than fourth place in the region due to an early-season loss to third-place team Marion County (4-4, 3-3).
“We played really hard,” South Lamar coach Shannon McGregory said. “They just had too many weapons in the end. Still, we control our own destiny and the guys will be excited about playing Friday night for the playoffs.”
For Hubbertville (7-0, 6-0), Dax Benton rushed for 111 yards and scored four touchdowns. Benton scored on rushes of 4, 29 and 8 yards and also added a 70-yard kickoff return for another score.
Vess Benton scored on a 3-yard run, while Anthony Dillard scored on a 1-yard run for the Lions.
South Lamar received two rushing touchdowns from Dustin Weathers (on runs of 1 and 2 yards). Weathers rushed 10 times for 87 yards and also paced the Stallions with 10 tackles on defense.
Kyle Redmond rushed for 83 yards, while also throwing a 70-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Trammel.
Sulligent 42, Phil Campbell 7: At Sulligent, Alabama, the Blue Devils wrapped up the No. 2 seed in Class 2A, Region 8 play and first-round home-field advantage in the playoffs with the convincing region win at home.
Sulligent closes region play Friday night at Mars Hill Bible (1-7, 0-5).
“Being able to go back to the playoffs is really huge for this program,” Sulligent coach Dennis Robbins said. “We set that as our goal from the start of the season. It was something they really worked on during the off-season to get us back to this point. At the end of the year, you want to be playing well. We have made some really big strides.”
Roman Glass led Sulligent with 14 rushes for 218 yards and three touchdowns. The Blue Devils led 25-7 at halftime.
Nathan Gardner hit Frank Ollie on a 68-yard scoring strike, while Caleb Williams scored on a 6-yard run and Justin Metcalfe scored on a 33-yard run for Sulligent. Glass scored on runs of 58, 25 and 24 yards.
Phil Campbell (4-5, 3-3) was held to 120 yards of total offense but did manage a 2-yard run from Tristan Godsey prior to halftime.
Pickens Academy 52, Russell Christian Academy 6: At Carrollton, Alabama, the Pirates unleashed a powerful rushing attack to grab their first win in Alabama Independent School Association Class AA, Region 2 play.
Chance Britt (36-yard run), Joseph McGlawn (26-yard run), Landon Hattaway (9-yard run), Lance Acker (50-yard run), Trevor Hester (6-yard run) and Garrett Noland (49-yard run) each had rushing touchdowns for Pickens Academy (3-4, 1-2 region).
Pickens Academy also had two passing touchdowns as McGlawn hit Justin Barton on a 45-yard touchdown pass and Brant Criswell hit Grady McGlawn on a 4-yard scoring play.
Joseph McGlawn finished with nine rushes for 104 yards, while Britt had 11 rushes for 73 yards.
Pickens Academy plays at Wilcox Academy (5-2, 2-1) in another region game Friday night.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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